A new study from the University of California, Berkeley, provides a new view of how new gene functions arise. The study, published in the journal *Cell*, used an "evolution proteomics" approach to track the evolution of a protein from its origin as a non-coding RNA to its current role as a key regulator of gene expression.
The protein, called LIN28, is essential for the development of animals. It is found in all animals, from humans to worms, and it plays a role in a variety of processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and metabolism.
LIN28 is unusual in that it is not coded for by a traditional gene. Instead, it is produced from a non-coding RNA molecule called Let-7. Let-7 is a microRNA, a small RNA molecule that regulates gene expression by binding to messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing it from being translated into protein.
In the study, the researchers used evolution proteomics to track the evolution of LIN28 from its origin as a non-coding RNA to its current role as a protein. They found that LIN28 originated as a small RNA molecule that bound to mRNA and prevented it from being translated. Over time, this RNA molecule gradually acquired the ability to code for a protein.
The researchers believe that this study provides a new view of how new gene functions arise. They suggest that non-coding RNA molecules may be a reservoir of new genetic information that can be co-opted to create new proteins and new functions.
Implications for human health
The findings of this study could have implications for human health. LIN28 is known to play a role in a variety of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. By understanding how LIN28 evolved, researchers may be able to develop new treatments for these diseases.
For example, it may be possible to develop drugs that block the interaction between LIN28 and mRNA, thereby preventing LIN28 from inhibiting gene expression. This could lead to new treatments for cancer and diabetes.
The evolution proteomics approach used in this study could also be used to study the evolution of other proteins that are involved in disease. This could lead to the development of new treatments for a variety of diseases.
